Arian Foster and the Texans hope the Patriots bow to their will in next weekend's rematch. / Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports

by Megan Manfull Ortiz, special for USA TODAY Sports

by Megan Manfull Ortiz, special for USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON - Wade Phillips shook off the question. The Houston Texans defensive coordinator said to save it for another day. He had no interest in talking about the New England Patriots just moments after the Texans defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 19-13 in the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs at Reliant Stadium.

The Texans players, however, had their minds firmly set on next weekend's rematch with the reigning AFC champion Patriots.

Houston players talked about the embarrassment that unfolded on the road Dec. 10 when they sauntered into Gillette Stadium with an 11-1 record and the attention of the entire league. What unfolded was a humiliating 42-14 defeat on Monday Night Football that sent the team into a downward spiral.

The Texans have not forgotten.

"We knew that if we went out and took care of business today, we'd get another shot at them," wide receiver Andre Johnson said. "They are a great football team. Last time we went up there, we didn't put out a good performance. They actually gave us a real good butt whupping."

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was able to have his way with the Houston defense, which gave up touchdowns on each of the Patriots' first three possessions.

This time around, defensive end Antonio Smith said one main goal will be to keep Brady off the field. The Patriots racked up 419 offensive yards and six touchdowns in the first game.

"We have to make the big plays instead of them making the big plays," Smith said. "We have to get the turnovers instead of them getting the turnovers. The balls need to bounce our way. The energy needs to be with us even though it's at their house. We have to do whatever we need to do for that energy to be on our side. When it's a third down, and it's Wes Welker or whoever they are throwing to, and they are making the first-down catch, we need to knock that ball down. It's the only way to get Brady off that field. When he is off the field, the better chance we have of winning."

Texans owner Bob McNair hopes the victory against Cincinnati restores some confidence the Texans lost after losing three of their last four regular-season games. He liked what he saw against the Bengals, especially the energy.

"We just need to play with the same level of intensity that we had today, and if we do that, we'll do very well," McNair said. "I'm not worried. If we have that kind of intensity, we can play with anyone."

The Texans looked so overmatched in the first game against New England that some major adjustments will need to be made.

"We understand the challenge that we have," coach Gary Kubiak said. "That is what is awesome about this league; it's the ultimate challenge. They've been there for a long time. We had a rough trip up there last time, but we've earned our right to go back. We want to go back and play a heck of a lot better than we did."

The defense will be key, and it couldn't be coming off a better performance. The Bengals offense was on the field less than 21 minutes and went 0-for-9 on third-down conversions. Cincinnati managed just 198 total yards - including 53 in the first half.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who has a sack in all three of his career playoff games, will be key, as will defensive backs like Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson, who each had strong outings against the Bengals.

Each of them want another shot at New England.

"They're not world beaters, but obviously they whupped us up pretty good the first time," said Joseph, who had five tackles and one interception against Cincinnati. "We'll have that on our minds some, but we can't focus on that because we have to focus on the goal at hand, and that's going 1-0."

The Houston offense will turn again to Arian Foster, who has shined in each playoff game, becoming the only player in NFL history to top 100 rushing yards in his first three career playoff games. If Foster can produce, the Texans are confident he will open up more opportunities for quarterback Matt Schaub to find the end zone. Foster had just 46 yards against the Patriots last time they met.

"He's a man," Kubiak said of Foster. "I've been around some good ones. ... The whole stadium knew we had to line up and run the ball and, boy, was he at his best there at the end. He's become a fine, fine player and it just seems like the bigger it gets, the better Arian gets."